The TT Football Club

I know most City supporters won't agree but I still think Hughes is a decent manager. Did well to get us to Europa League quarterfinal where we really dominated Hamburg and were unlucky not to advance, haven't seen a performance in Europe like that since. He needs to get rid of Bowen though if he wants to step up a level as a manager, Bowen's defensive organisation is unbelievably poor and disjointed.

Meanwhile Barton brings the comedy of the day, McClaren would be proud :lol:

So I come back from a vacation to find out that Chelsea have sacked Di Mateo and replaced him with Rafael Benitez?

What the hell? Who makes such decisions? Surely Roman isn't THAT stupid.

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I don't think it's that he is stupid, he clearly is not but it appears he wants to be entertained and seems to want a say in what/how or who plays each week.Maybe not as bad as the guy who is in control at Hearts but rumours seem to be increasing.A friend of mine is a CFC and was excited when all the money first arrived but he is getting worried that they are just a toy no stability, what top manager really needs the hassle?Was his worry come the summer, valid point.

Talking of Harry, I'm a bit surprised he didn't wait until a bigger club than QPR was available or came in for him. Wonder if he'll do the same as when he quickly revived Tottenham and proceeded to take them ever upwards, or if it will be a repeat of his inglorious time at Southampton when he took them down a division?

As for Hughes, his reputation is now badly damaged. Maybe that's about it from him as any kind of force in the PL?

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I think he might get another shot but his record is more average than his agent talking him up might have you believe,as for Redknapp managing the Ukraine, that just smacked of "QPR come get me".
Decent win on Sunday eh Ross!

Ross, Bale def looks up for it these days. He and Felliani are both a bit unplayable at times.

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Agree on that. TBH I've long been of the opinion that Bale could do even better at Real or Barca - he is that good. Brilliant to see us win two on the trot though, and hopefully this can really springboard us into some top form for the Xmas/New Year run in.

I don't think it's that he is stupid, he clearly is not but it appears he wants to be entertained and seems to want a say in what/how or who plays each week.Maybe not as bad as the guy who is in control at Hearts but rumours seem to be increasing.A friend of mine is a CFC and was excited when all the money first arrived but he is getting worried that they are just a toy no stability, what top manager really needs the hassle?Was his worry come the summer, valid point.

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Yeah that's a good point, I'd take Roman and his billions any day over Romanov, now there's a bad dude.

Agree on that. TBH I've long been of the opinion that Bale could do even better at Real or Barca - he is that good. Brilliant to see us win two on the trot though, and hopefully this can really springboard us into some top form for the Xmas/New Year run in.

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Bale had an OK match, I saw he had a part in the own goal but other than that looked good going forward. That was a wicked free kick though.

I don't think he'd fit at Real Madrid, they already have 2 attacking left backs, among a derth of awesome left sided players. He's not better than Ozil nor Di Maria, so he wouldn't play up top, he is too fast to sit in the midfield, and Marcelo is a better defender than him (which isn't saying much) as is Coentrao.

At Barcelona, would they start him over Jordi Alba? I don't think so, but they'd find room in their side for him.

Maybe he could head to Serie A instead, Juve or Inter would suit him nicely. He'd be awesome at Napoli in their system but that'd be a step sideways in his game and not a step forward.

Bale had an OK match, I saw he had a part in the own goal but other than that looked good going forward. That was a wicked free kick though.

I don't think he'd fit at Real Madrid, they already have 2 attacking left backs, among a derth of awesome left sided players. He's not better than Ozil nor Di Maria, so he wouldn't play up top, he is too fast to sit in the midfield, and Marcelo is a better defender than him (which isn't saying much) as is Coentrao.

At Barcelona, would they start him over Jordi Alba? I don't think so, but they'd find room in their side for him.

Maybe he could head to Serie A instead, Juve or Inter would suit him nicely. He'd be awesome at Napoli in their system but that'd be a step sideways in his game and not a step forward.

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I've never really been sure why Barcelona are linked with him every summer. He's a great player, but he wouldn't really fit in with what they do there I wouldn't of thought.

He would be good at left back I suppose, it would add a nice balance to Alves on the other side. I can't really imagine them paying £50 Million for a left back though especially when they already have Alba, as you say, who is plenty good enough.

Madrid may be an option, they would have to get rid of at least one of Coentrao and Marcelo to make room and raise funds. Mourinho likes him for sure, but it doesn't look like he will be there next season.

I know most City supporters won't agree but I still think Hughes is a decent manager. Did well to get us to Europa League quarterfinal where we really dominated Hamburg and were unlucky not to advance, haven't seen a performance in Europe like that since. He needs to get rid of Bowen though if he wants to step up a level as a manager, Bowen's defensive organisation is unbelievably poor and disjointed.

Meanwhile Barton brings the comedy of the day, McClaren would be proud :lol:

I've never really been sure why Barcelona are linked with him every summer. He's a great player, but he wouldn't really fit in with what they do there I wouldn't of thought.

He would be good at left back I suppose, it would add a nice balance to Alves on the other side. I can't really imagine them paying £50 Million for a left back though especially when they already have Alba, as you say, who is plenty good enough.

Madrid may be an option, they would have to get rid of at least one of Coentrao and Marcelo to make room and raise funds. Mourinho likes him for sure, but it doesn't look like he will be there next season.

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He'd fit in at Barcelona by playing the same role Coentrao plays normally - an all action deep midfielder who sits near a defensive midfielder and can get the ball forward quickly, has a good shot and can defend. And pass too, obviously. I think him playing alongside Masch would be cool he'd be like a deep lying player, being able to bring Alba and Alves into the fold if they're not there already. He's plenty fast too so he can provide support on the wings. I could see him there honestly.

But it won't happen, last time they paid stupid money for a player they didn't need was when they let Eto'o go for 30 million plus Zlatan. And how'd that turn out?

I understand the desire of a great player to play in la liga or serie A but I think those leagues are much more biased to home grown players. One of the strengths of the pl over the years is the influx of foreign talent, the clubs are about winning, no matter what your country of origin is.

I think about some of the english exports who went overseas the last few years and never really were fully valued: Owen and Becks to name two. Capello claimed he would never play Becks again but he ended up relenting and they won the title. All Owen did when he played was score but never really got a look in.

If I'm Bale, I'd stay where I'm paid well and more importantly, valued highly.

I understand the desire of a great player to play in la liga or serie A but I think those leagues are much more biased to home grown players. One of the strengths of the pl over the years is the influx of foreign talent, the clubs are about winning, no matter what your country of origin is.

I think about some of the english exports who went overseas the last few years and never really were fully valued: Owen and Becks to name two. Capello claimed he would never play Becks again but he ended up relenting and they won the title. All Owen did when he played was score but never really got a look in.

If I'm Bale, I'd stay where I'm paid well and more importantly, valued highly.

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Well he can keep his own house if he wants to be Cole's replacement next season maybe not.

I see Benitez is dropping Oscar tomorrow, he thinks the squad is too small in numbers to compete every game. I wonder if Abramovich will back him and fix that in January.

So 2-0 to Swansea at the Emirates. No complaints whatsoever about the score; they deserved it. They were in 1-on-1 three times before scoring (twice brilliantly saved by Szczesny, and once by a desperate lunge from Vermaelen), and looked the more dangerous team in attacking areas. We had more possession in the second half, but as ever with no cutting edge and no firepower. Why Wenger persists with starting the 3rd rate Gervinho up top alone is completely beyond me.

Arsenal now down to 10th after 15 games, having failed to beat Sunderland (H), Stoke, Norwich (H), Fulham (H), Villa, Everton and Swansea (H). We're in real, real trouble. I think it would be fair to say the only two victories this season that were comprehensive, deserved and not due to exceptional circumstances were those in early September against Liverpool and Southampton. The only bright spot is that 3rd place is only 5 points away, solely thanks to the lack of dominant teams at the top this year.

As I've said before, I will back Wenger for the rest of the season, but it has reached the point where no-one can deny that there's a valid argument for him going. He's purported to have £40m+ to spend in January (I assume this figure includes transfer fees and wages), so the possibility of bringing in a couple of £12m players (i.e usual price bracket, a la Giroud, Podolski, Gervinho), but I just don't know if we can bring in the real top quality that we need to make us competitive again for that money in the inflated January window. We have a good spine to the squad, but with constantly selling our world class players, and being unable to afford real top quality talent, we are marginally less competitive every single season.

I also don't think that we're stronger as a team than the sum of our parts, unlike the likes of United, where players who are decent but not exceptional can become real top performers when coupled with world class players. Most of our better players (Wilshere, Cazorla, Arteta) would be able to contribute more playing for another side (i.e be more effective, not just win things).

I really hope Wenger can turn things around, as it'd be a shame for his legacy to be as a manager perceived to have not been able to adapt with this times.

I'd of been even more suprised than i was!
Did you watch it? I thought that as nice as Chelsea passed the ball about in the 1st half they were lacking any urgency and if it'd of been the hammers missing those chances i'd of bet my house on them loosing in the second half, I didn't however expect CFC to look as startled in the 2nd half as the Irons did in the 1st. A cliche but two very different halves, Coles' goal, (firstly) no i don't think it was a foul,I just really didn't think (was it Ivanovic?) seemed to want it, people never used to fall that easilly under a centre halves challenge I think he'd of dealt with it no problem if he'd of stood his ground. I want players to challenge for the ball and I didn't think the time Cole was bumped down in the pen area at the end of the first half was either.(Though i did shout at the tv when he just sat there thumping the ground, get up and chase the ball!) It looks like your keeper doesn't really trust his cenrtal defenders by soem of the decisions he made.
Think you'll sign Gerrard in the Jan window to supply TOrres?(I was sure he'd score against us!)

Torres is crap. Benitez's tactics are horrid. Surely by now he should know what the rest of us have known for ages, which is that Obi is sh*t and isn't good enough to play for a my 5-a-side indoor team, let alone for Chelsea.

Re: Wenger, I think now's the time he needs to put principles aside so he can salvage a Champions League spot. If the reports that he's got $40 million at his disposal, he should drop all of that on 2 players MAX. See if he can bag a good striker and a midfielder to compliment Arteta and Carzola. I'd buy Isco and maybe see if Valencia would part with Banega. Someone along those lines who sits deep. Maybe bid 35 million for Kompany ? Or perhaps he should get a better Asian than Park, maybe Honda or see if he can get Sahin for next season?

I'd of been even more suprised than i was!
Did you watch it? I thought that as nice as Chelsea passed the ball about in the 1st half they were lacking any urgency and if it'd of been the hammers missing those chances i'd of bet my house on them loosing in the second half, I didn't however expect CFC to look as startled in the 2nd half as the Irons did in the 1st. A cliche but two very different halves, Coles' goal, (firstly) no i don't think it was a foul,I just really didn't think (was it Ivanovic?) seemed to want it, people never used to fall that easilly under a centre halves challenge I think he'd of dealt with it no problem if he'd of stood his ground. I want players to challenge for the ball and I didn't think the time Cole was bumped down in the pen area at the end of the first half was either.(Though i did shout at the tv when he just sat there thumping the ground, get up and chase the ball!) It looks like your keeper doesn't really trust his cenrtal defenders by soem of the decisions he made.
Think you'll sign Gerrard in the Jan window to supply TOrres?(I was sure he'd score against us!)

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I thought we were great in the first half, it was surprising! The main problem was Torres, he had a couple of chances to kill the game and we should of probably had 3 by the break. A top striker would of also occupied the centre backs and given Moses, Hazard and Mata even more space and time to do things.

Diame was the huge difference in the end, Ramires and Mikel couldn't handle him. Worrying to think that they're our only 2 midfielders!

I thought Cole's goal was a foul, he did go over the top. Ultimately it didn't really matter, the result would of been the same.

I think firing Di Matteo and giving the job to Benitez could well be the worst decision made by Abramovich, and he's made plenty of bad ones. Benitez hates Chelsea, which we don't really have a problem with. We had a huge rivalry with Liverpool and it's natural he doesn't like us, just as we don't like him. It's just not going to work, not in a million years. You couldn't choose a worse option if you tried.

I think firing Di Matteo and giving the job to Benitez could well be the worst decision made by Abramovich, and he's made plenty of bad ones. Benitez hates Chelsea, which we don't really have a problem with. We had a huge rivalry with Liverpool and it's natural he doesn't like us, just as we don't like him. It's just not going to work, not in a million years. You couldn't choose a worse option if you tried.

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Really? I'd of thunk that signing Scheva was pretty bad, and Torres not far behind. The Mutu signing was pretty horrendous too.

Hopefully we get smoked at midweek in the Champions League and Rafa finds the dignity to quit.

I thought we were great in the first half, it was surprising! The main problem was Torres, he had a couple of chances to kill the game and we should of probably had 3 by the break. A top striker would of also occupied the centre backs and given Moses, Hazard and Mata even more space and time to do things.

Diame was the huge difference in the end, Ramires and Mikel couldn't handle him. Worrying to think that they're our only 2 midfielders!

I thought Cole's goal was a foul, he did go over the top. Ultimately it didn't really matter, the result would of been the same.

I think firing Di Matteo and giving the job to Benitez could well be the worst decision made by Abramovich, and he's made plenty of bad ones. Benitez hates Chelsea, which we don't really have a problem with. We had a huge rivalry with Liverpool and it's natural he doesn't like us, just as we don't like him. It's just not going to work, not in a million years. You couldn't choose a worse option if you tried.

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He did go over the top but football is a contact sport, i don't actually think a defender should assume (and normally be given) a free kick for that, (i include my teams players in this) I want a defender fighting off an attacker not hoping for a free kick.There was one in the 1st half that Cole went down under a defender, rather than get up and chase the ball he was sat there thumping the ground, I don't want to see that, get up get it back and keep having a go at the opponents.
The subs made a huge difference didn't they, we actually have some quality with some decent players waiting on the sidelines too at the moment, which is not something one is accustomed to as a West Ham fan!
I was so sure Torres would score, he always scores against us!
Didn't realise the anti manager stuff was so strong, banners were already on show demanding him out of the way (a week in!) if he does well, gets them playing and scoring freely and Pep can't be tempted, he could get the job?

Really? I'd of thunk that signing Scheva was pretty bad, and Torres not far behind. The Mutu signing was pretty horrendous too.

Hopefully we get smoked at midweek in the Champions League and Rafa finds the dignity to quit.

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Those were bad choices, no doubt.

As bad as sacking a Chelsea legend, who just won the Champions League, was playing the attacking football the owner had craved for a decade.. in favour of a pretty poor manager who is known to hate the club as much as the fans hate him? Yeah, Torres was a masterstroke compared to this latest Abramovich idea

As bad as sacking a Chelsea legend, who just won the Champions League, was playing the attacking football the owner had craved for a decade.. in favour of a pretty poor manager who is known to hate the club as much as the fans hate him? Yeah, Torres was a masterstroke compared to this latest Abramovich idea

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Anytime the words "Torres" and "masterstroke" are found in the same sentence you know it's pretty bad. Torres should be sent packing next month, his time is up. Off to Serie A for him.

He did go over the top but football is a contact sport, i don't actually think a defender should assume (and normally be given) a free kick for that, (i include my teams players in this) I want a defender fighting off an attacker not hoping for a free kick.There was one in the 1st half that Cole went down under a defender, rather than get up and chase the ball he was sat there thumping the ground, I don't want to see that, get up get it back and keep having a go at the opponents.
The subs made a huge difference didn't they, we actually have some quality with some decent players waiting on the sidelines too at the moment, which is not something one is accustomed to as a West Ham fan!
I was so sure Torres would score, he always scores against us!
Didn't realise the anti manager stuff was so strong, banners were already on show demanding him out of the way (a week in!) if he does well, gets them playing and scoring freely and Pep can't be tempted, he could get the job?

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Torres had 4 chances I think, a top striker would of taken at least 2 you'd of thought.

As for the manager, well yes. The banners calling for his head were on display before the start of his first game when he was introduced before the match the boo's were unanimous.

It's Mourinho who most of the Chelsea fans i've heard from want. Abramovich wants Guardiola though. They both want to go to the two Manchester clubs, that's what i'm hearing. Hopefully that doesn't mean we end up with Rafa full time!

^^ Do you think anyone has "the ear" of RA or does it seem as if every so often he goes, "i've watched this guy score goals and i want him" ?

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I think alot of people have his ear, unfortunately they are the wrong ones to listen to. The people around him seem to all be "yes" men, who tell him what he wants to hear.

He needs someone with some balls to tell him to get Mourinho back, sign Falcao, get a few more midfielders in, and then sit back and enjoy. He's the owner at the end of the day though, he can do what he likes, and don't we know it

Yet the fans won't openly criticise Abramovic to his face (i.e at the stadium) because without him they know Chelsea wouldn't have won a single league title or the CL in the past decade, and would probably be in a similar predicament to Spurs (which is not bad, but is below what Chelsea now consider themselves to be).

Of course the heart of a football club is its fanbase and the roots of this are sunk far deeper than the Abramovic era (e.g the average Chelsea fan recognises di Matteo deserved better as someone who has contributed to the club as a player and coach, and always conducted himself with dignity), but in spite of their principles being offended by Abramovic's capricious nature it's clear to everyone that money talks at this level and if you're not the dominant force in your media market (Bayern, Real, Barca, Utd) / don't have a sugar daddy backing you, you can't compete for the biggest prizes.

Is there any sense of an anti-Abramovic movement at any level of the Chelsea fanbase? I'd think most fans at most clubs would forget what they considered to be the principles of their club to have a shot at being as successful as Chelsea have been.

Dave - well done, mate. CFC may be in some chaos but a victory over the CL winners is still a great victory.

RE Benitez appointment - it seems to be another example of when chairmen, at their peril and great discredit, choose to ignore the fans and their deeply held views. The example I always cite is George Graham with us. He may have redressed the balance formwise to a significant degree, but he was never accepted - and of course, why should he have been given his gooners history? Plus also, you can reverse this in the sense of what is Benitez doing going to Chelsea given his Liverpool history? Does he not owe the reds and their fans some sort of allegiance? There are very few clubs in the world that it doesn't seem right that managers like Rafa should hitch themselves too, but certainly Chelsea and Benitez seems a golden example. Anyway, it's another case of p****** on the fans IMO.

Re Spurs - 3-0 win V Fulham. Gooners turned over. Chelsea beaten. What a great weekend. If AVB can now rack up more wins coming into 2013, his own difficult relations with the fans (and press) might be smoothed. And it can't be denied, Defoe is playing out of his skin.

Yet the fans won't openly criticise Abramovic to his face (i.e at the stadium) because without him they know Chelsea wouldn't have won a single league title or the CL in the past decade, and would probably be in a similar predicament to Spurs (which is not bad, but is below what Chelsea now consider themselves to be)..

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were they not pretty much broke the summer he bought them? I seem to remember someone (if he was still there then maybe Zola or Wise someone from that time)saying that they were told if they didn't get into Europe their wages couldn't be guaranteed.
Most clubs without chairmen are not a going concern.

I think alot of people have his ear, unfortunately they are the wrong ones to listen to. The people around him seem to all be "yes" men, who tell him what he wants to hear.

He needs someone with some balls to tell him to get Mourinho back, sign Falcao, get a few more midfielders in, and then sit back and enjoy. He's the owner at the end of the day though, he can do what he likes, and don't we know it

Tomorrow's papers are saying Abramovich is already sounding out Grant to take over from Benitez, ouch.

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I know he had a very decent Chelsea experience, but after that, my god he was dismally dire. Which makes me wonder, if Benitez could get you into the mid-table mediocrity zone by the New Year, with a bit of luck, perhaps Avram could escalate the rapid decline further by taking you right down into relegation territory? :twisted:

I know he had a very decent Chelsea experience, but after that, my god he was dismally dire. Which makes me wonder, if Benitez could get you into the mid-table mediocrity zone by the New Year, with a bit of luck, perhaps Avram could escalate the rapid decline further by taking you right down into relegation territory? :twisted:

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Haha, keep on going like the last 7 games and it could happen! The only consolation being that Arsenal would probably be down there with us

I think to top off the great last month or so, Juventus will lose to Shakhtar to give us a lifeline, only to then lose against Nordsjaelland to compound the misery. That should be enough to get Grant back i'd of thought, lovely!

Chelsea fans need to stop whining. They need to give Benitez a chance and i am not saying that because i am a Liverpool fan. That is from a neutral perspective. If they do feel like whining do it at Abramovich he is the one messing it up for CFC.

Chelsea fans need to stop whining. They need to give Benitez a chance and i am not saying that because i am a Liverpool fan. That is from a neutral perspective. If they do feel like whining do it at Abramovich he is the one messing it up for CFC.

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We've given him a chance - 2 fairly easy home matches and home against Manchester City. We got smacked by Hammers, Fulham should have been a win and against City his tactics were WAY off. He's only there to attempt to rejuvenate Torres, and if that doesn't happen then they're both out.

We've given him a chance - 2 fairly easy home matches and home against Manchester City. We got smacked by Hammers, Fulham should have been a win and against City his tactics were WAY off. He's only there to attempt to rejuvenate Torres, and if that doesn't happen then they're both out.

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Can't see him going anywhere yet, i am sure RA won't want to admit defeat yet, maybe you'll get lucky and have a management combo of RAfa/grant being helped by dennis wise

Thought this was an interesting article considering the decline in the standards of mainstream sports journalism as a reaction to pay-per-click internet advertising, search engine optimisation, and most importantly the ambivalence of the audience as to whether there is any truth to the story.

It's pretty clear that this has been the case, but at the same time the internet has made it much easier to seek out quality sports journalism from a variety of sources if that's what you're looking for.

I personally don't see anything wrong with the rumour mill and fabricated stories (as long as they don't result in a material loss to anyone) since they are part of the fun of following football.